The stock market tanked and you’re watching your hard-earned dollars evaporate from your 401(k) and there’s not much you can do about it. Congress doesn’t seem to care. There’s rumors of a “double-dip” recession. (In my opinion, we never got out of the last one.) The few jobs that are being created aren’t paying nearly as much as the ones that were lost. Food prices are going up as well as utilities and other expenses.

My neighbor had to hold off paying the cable bill so she could get the back to school supplies for her daughter and is working crazy overtime hours so she can pay that bill before they cut off the cable.

Yes, times are tough. People are suffering in ways that we can’t even imagine. Many are in physical pain because they can’t afford to go to the doctor. Many are just wondering how they’re going to pay the rent, feed themselves and put gas in the car. Top that with over 100 degree weather in Phoenix and it’ll make anyone testy.

But that doesn’t mean you have to take it out on the world. The driver in front of you is angry at something too, but that doesn’t mean you need to tailgate them. If they stop suddenly, you get the citation for driving too close – and you don’t need a traffic ticket.

Be nice. Pass on Kindness. Be helpful. Ok, you say, but you can’t help everyone! True, but help who you can. WWJD!

Let the car waiting to get out of a parking area go in front of you. Let the person with only 2 items go first in the checkout line. Buy the beggar on the street a $1.00 hamburger or give them the granola bar that’s been baking in your glove compartment.

There but for the grace of God go you.

“In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa.

It’s simply compassion and kindness. The Holy Spirit offers kindness as a free gift when you become a Christian. (Galatians 5:16-25) God expects us to “help the least of these.” (Matthew 25:31-46).

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16

It’s as hard to start new habits as it is to break bad ones, but every morning when you wake up give thanks to the Lord that you are still alive and you will start the day on a positive note and that note will help you through the not-so-positive stuff that will no doubt bombard you.